Bicycle



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. G. LATTA.

BICYCLE.

Patented July 7, 1885.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

BICYCLE.

UNITED STATES Parenti @erica 1 EMMT G. LATTA, OF FRIENDSHIP, NEV YORK.

BICYCLE.

.'PCFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 321,508, dated Jnly 7,1885.

Application filed December l0, 1884. (No model.;

To @ZZ whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, EMMIT G. LATTA, a citizen of the United States,residing at Friendship, in the county of Allegany and State of New York,have invented new and useful Iu1- provenients in Bicycles, of which thefollowing is a speciiication.

This invention relates to certain improvements in bicycles; and it hasfor its object to secure a bent handle-bar, made in one piece, to thesteering-head, so that it can be readily reinoved or replaced whendesired; also, in securing the cranks to the axle in such manner thatthe cranks can be readily detached without requiring any special toolsfor the purpose.

Theinvention also relates to certaininiprovements in the construction ofthe pedals, Whereby they can loe readily adjusted for wear.

The invention consists, to these ends, oi' the improvements which willbe hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed ont in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is aVertical longitndinal section of the steering-head. Fig. 2 is a verticalsection in line a; m, Fig. l.. Figs. 3 and 4 are horizontal sections inlines 1/ y and e e, Fig. i, respectively. Fig. 5 is a side elevation ofthe handle-bar lug. Fig. G is a plan View, and Fie. 7 a side elevation,of the spaceblock, whereby the handle-bar is secured in the lnO. Fig. 8is a top plan View of the handle-bar on a reduced scale. Fig. 9 is asectional elevation of one end of the axle and connecting parts, and ofthe crank and pedal. Fig. l() is a sectional elevation in line x rv,Fig. 9. Fig. 1l is a horizontal section in line .fr x, Fig. 10. Fig. l2is a sectional elevation in line y y, Fig. 9. Fig. 13 is a verticalsection in line f: s, Fig. 9. Fig. .le is a sectional elevation of oneend of the axle and crank.

Like letters et' reference refer to like parts in the several iignrcs.

A represents the backbone or reach of the machine, provided at its frontend with the usual upright center pin, a.

B represents the steering-'head inclosing the center pin, (c, andprovided with a centcrloearing, Z), in which the lower end of the centerpin is supported.

G represents a screw-cap, which ts over the upper end of the center pin,a, and is secured in a threaded opening in thenpper part of thesteering-head B.

c is an oil-passage l'orlncd cent-rally in the cap C.

D represents the handle-bar lug, composed of a collar, d, whichsurrounds the upper portion of the steering-head, and a horizontalsleeve or lug, d', through which the handlebar E is inserted, and whichis ar an ged transversely in front of the collar d.. The latter ispreferably made tapering upwardly, and is secured in the steering-headby a screw-nut, dt. The handlebar E is provided on both sides of the lugd' with bent portions, which are made in one piece with the portionwhich is seated in the lug d', as represented in Fig. 8, so that thehandlehar cannotbe passed through the ordinary cylindrical openingusually formed in the handle-bar lng. In order to perniit this benthandlebar to be passed through the opening of the handlebar lng, thisopening is extended backwardl y into the sleeve or collar (l, and madeol' suiiieient size to permit the bent handle-bar to pass through it.

F represents a space-block which is placed in the opening e, for thepurpose ol' securing the handle-bar in the saine. The block F isprovided on its front side with a concave face, f, which iits againstthe rear side of the handle-bar in thelug d". The front portion of theblock F, in which the i'ace fis formed, iills that portion ol' theopening e in the lug d which is not occupied by the handle-bar.

r/ represents an open l'ranie or socket fornied in the rear side of theblock F to surround the upper portion, g, ol the steering-head B. Thesocket f/ and the portion g of the steeringhead are preferably ilattcnedon one or more sides, in order to prevent the sleeve d from turning onthe steering-head when the rider pulls on the handle-bar.

In putting the parts together the handlebar E is rst Apassed through theopening c; the 4block F is then placed in the opening e against thehandle bar, and the sleeve d, with these parts attached thereto, isplaced on the portion g of the head B, and secured in place by the nutd?. The portion g is inade tapering up- Wardly, and iu forcing the lug Ddownward onY the head E the block F is pressed against IOC) thehandle-bar, so that a snug t of these parts is obtained'and thehandle-bar securely held when the parts arecarefully fitted.

In order to prevent the possibility of the handle-bar working loose inthe lug d', the bar is further secured by a set-screw, h,- and byforming several screw-holes in the handle-bar at various angles, thehandle-bar can be se cured in various positions.

If desired, the handle-bar lug may be made in one piece with the head B,in the usual manner, and the opening c be formed in the upper part ofthe head, instead of in a separate piece; but I prefer the constructionshown, as it permits the use of a tubular dust-shield, H, and isotherwise more desirable.

K represents the tubular axle, and I the crank fitted on the end of theaxle and held thereon against turning by a key, 7c, or by constructingthe end of the axle and the opening i in the crank with flattened sides.The outer portion, fi', ofthe opening or socket l is reduced in diameterby an inwardly-projecting ring, 122, formed in the crank, and having itsrear or inner side made conical or curved to fit snugly against theconcave outer end of the axle, as represented in Figs. 9 and 14. Thering i2 is .provided with an internal screw-thread extending through itsopening, the latter being made sufficiently long to prevent stripping ofthe screw-thread. The screw-th read in the ring '2 is made to fit thethreaded end of the pedal-pin, or any other screw that can be readilydetached from the machine and used for detaching the crank from the axleby screwing such screw into the ring 2 against the outer end of theaxle, thereby forcing the crank outward and from the axle. The cone orring i2 increases the bearing-surface of the crank on the end of theaxle. The keyway in which the key 7c is seated extends to the outside ofthe crank through the ring 2.

J represents a screw-bolt, which is screwed into the end of the hollowaxle, and provided with a broad head, j, which covers the end of the keyk, and prevents the latter from working out and the crank from becomingloose. This screw also serves to strengthen the outer portion of thetubular axle at the point of greatest strain.

L represents the pedal-shaft, provided at its rear end with a screw, Z,-and M is asleeve surrounding the shaft L, and provided at its inner endwith a head, m, which is tted with its recessed sides m between thebifurcated end I of the crank. The pedal-shaft is secured in position onthe crank by a locknut, M.

m2 represents the inner cone applied to the sleeve M, and m3 the outercone formed on the shaft L.

M2 represents the pedal inclosing the shaft L and sleeve M, and formedwith the cones m4 m5.

m represents the balls interposed between the cones.

Z represents a pin attached to the sleeve M, and projecting into alongitudinal groove, Z2,

formed in the inner end of the shaft L,whereby the latter is heldagainst turning-in the sleeve M, and is permitted to move lengthwise inthe same.

N represents an adjustable screw, provided with an internal thread,n,which engages with the screw l, and with an external thread, n', whichengages with an internal thread formed in the head m. Thescrew-threads nn are made of differential pitch, wherebyavery ne adjustment of thepedal-shaft and cones is obtained. The screw N is provided with a milledhead, n2, and locked in position after having been adjusted by a spring,n3, secured to the sleeve M, and bearing against the head n2. The springas is preferably formed in one piece with the pin W, as represented inFigs. 9 and l0. The bifurcated portion I of the crank permits theintroduction of the head of the pedal without disturbing the adjustmentof the cones. This differential screw-adjusting device can be readilyapplied to pedal-shafts, as ordinarily constructed, by arranging theouter cone to slide on the outer end of the shaft and the screw, so thatit forces it inwardly; but I prefer the construction herein shown anddescribed, because it shortens the outer end of the pedal and reducesthe entire width of the machine.

I claim as my invention- 1. rlhe combination,with a bent handle-bar, ofahand-le-bar lug having an elongated opening through which the benthandle-bar can be passed, and a fastening whereby the bent handle-bar issecured in said elongated opening, substantially as set forth. Y

2. rIhe combination, with the bent handlebar and a handle-bar lug havingan elongated opening, of a space-block inserted in said opening andsecuring the handle-bar in the same, substantially as set forth.

3. rIhe combination, with the steering-head and a bent handle-bar, of ahandle-bar sleeve provided with an elongated opening and a space-blockhaving a socket which surrounds the steering-head, substantially as setforth.

4. The combination, with the steering-head B C and the sleeve D,provided with the elongated opening e, of the bent handle-bar E,space-block F, provided with socket g, and screw-nut d2, substantiallyas set forth. 5. The combination, with the axle having a dished orrecessed end, of a crank fitted on the 'axle and provided in its socketwith an inwardly-projecting ring fitting into the dished end of theaxle, substantially as set forth.

6. rIhe combination,with the'axle, of a crank fitted on the axle andhaving the outer portion of its socket provided with aninwardly-projecting ring, '52, having an internal screwthread,substantially as set forth.

7. rlhe combination, with the axle, of the crank I, provided with aring, i2, of a key, k, whereby the crank is held on the axle, and ascrew, J ,whereby t-he crank and key are held on the axle, substantiallyas set forth.

8. Ihe combination,with the pedal-shaft and IOO IIO

11. The combination, with the pedal-shaft L, provided with screw Z,longitudinal groove 15 Z2, tand cone m3, of the sleeve M, provided withcone m2 and a. head, m, a. differential adjusting-screw, N, pin l', andspring n, substantially as set forth.

-Vl-Titness my hand this 2d day of December, 2o 1884.

EMMIT G. LATTA.

Witnesses F. B. CHURCH, S. E. LATTA.

